The rulers of countries such as Austria, Russia, and Prussia during the
Enlightenment were known as enlightened despots. These enlightened
despots did everything in their power to benefit their countries and the
citizens of them. they helped their nations progress greatly in many
different fields. Enlightened despots reformed the economy and laws
of the countries they ruled. They also encouraged religious tolerance.
Enlightened despots sought to inform the people about science, music and
philosophy.

The most famous enlightened despots were Frederick
the Great of Prussia, Peter the Great, and
Catherine
the Great of Russia. Frederick II enlarged Prussia and also created
some more humane laws. Catherine II also enlarged her country and
she won a port on the Black Sea. In addition, Catherine the great
contributed to the arts. Frederick the Great, Catherine the great,
and Maria Theresa of Austria participated in the Partitions of Poland.
These rulers worked to together to increase the sizes of each of their
respective nations. After each of these powerful countries took a
piece of Polish land for their countries, Poland disappeared from the map.